Arrival at Florence airport, where you will be met by your tour manager and transferred to Hotel Villa Cappugi (3 nights), located in the foothills just outside of Pistoia.

Located in northern Tuscany between Florence and Lucca, Pistoia is a little-touristed jewel of a town. Existing since before Roman times it became an independent republic during the medieval era before being annexed by Florence. Surrounded by one of the largest plant and tree nurseries in Europe, today it has a charming historic center with inviting pedestrian lanes and beautiful squares, vegetable and flower markets.

We’ll be making a late afternoon trip for a guided exploration of the historic district followed by a welcome dinner of local Tuscan specialties and wine tasting at its finest restaurant.

Our excursion today is to Lucca, an elegant city of art ringed by a 4 kilometer massive wall that took 150 years to build. The second largest city-state after Venice and the only major city in Tuscany to resist the might of Florence, Lucca finally succumbed to the forces of Napoleon and was ruled for a time by his sister Elisa Bonaparte and was later home to the composer Giacomo Puccini.

Morning walking tour of the city with our local guide. In the afternoon you’ll have time to walk the pedestrian path atop the walls, wander Lucca’s ancient Roman streets or browse stylish shops.

Early evening we’ll dine at a Tuscan style pizzeria in the hills above Pistoia.

This morning will find us in the historic district of fabulous Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Our first visit is to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s incomparable David. Then our local guide will take us on an historical and architectural walking tour that covers the Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and more.

After some free time for your own explorations, we have an afternoon appointment at the Uffizi, the most famous art museum in Italy, where you’ll find masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo and Caravaggio.

Included dinner in Pistoia

Leaving the plains of northern Tuscany for the rolling hills of the south, our first stop is for a cappuccino inside the 13th century walled fortress of Monteriggioni, the northernmost citadel of Siena in wars against Florence.

We’ll then pass through the Crete Senesi (Siena clay hills) for a visit to the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a Benedictine monastery set amongst forests of cypress, pine and oak. The Great Cloister features the famous cycle of frescoes depicting the life of St Benedict by Signorelli and Sodoma. Included lunch.

Then we move on to the renaissance town of Pienza, the “ideal city” constructed by Pope Pius II, overlooking the cypress-lined hills of the stunning Orcia Valley. Our lodging is Hotel Corsignano (3 nights) located just outside the town walls.

Brunello wines are considered among the most prestigious of Italy. We begin this morning with a tour of an unique Brunello winery run entirely by women.

Then we’ll take in the hill-town and imposing castle of Montalcino, final bastion of the the Republic of Siena, with some of the most scenic settings on our tour.

In the afternoon we’ll stop by the beautiful 9th century abbey Sant’Antimo, said to have been founded by Charlemagne.

Today’s first visit is to the unique medieval village of Civita di Bagnoregio in the region of Lazio, isolated by earthquakes and erosion creating an inland island of nineteen inhabitants, accessible now only on foot across a 300 meter bridge!

Spectacular Orvieto sits atop a 325 meter outcrop of volcanic tufa rock, with thousands of caves underneath the city, dug out during Etruscan, Medieval and Renaissance times. We’ll explore them on a fascinating tour of Orvieto Underground. After lunch our local guide will take us through one of Italy’s most famous Gothic cathedrals, 300 years in construction, featuring the San Brizio chapel with the wonderful frescoes of Signorelli.

We visit three very interesting small Umbrian villages, beginning with a guided tour of the Olive Oil Museum at Torgiano, followed by a visit to Deruta, famous for its ceramics. After time for shopping and lunch we’ll visit the smallest theater in the world, the Teatro della Concordia at Monte Castello di Vibio.

Then we head for romantic Spoleto, whose 3000 year past includes Umbrians, Romans, Goths, Lombards, Franks, emperors and popes. We’ll be staying for 2 nights at the Hotel dei Duchi located in the upper town near the ancient Roman Theater.

Included dinner at a nearby ristorante where we’ll taste the famous local pasta strangozzi.

There is a wealth of history to explore within Spoleto – its massive 14th century fortress, cathedral, Roman walls and medieval piazzas, the amazing aqueduct-bridge, fine museums and churches, not to mention the maze of medieval town planning.

For the last ten years Spoleto has undergone an ambitious project to become a model città senza auto, car-free city. Twenty two underground moving sidewalks, fourteen escalators and seventeen elevators transport residents and tourists directly into the heart of the city. Streets that were designed for people centuries ago have now been returned to pedestrian use only!

Spoleto is home to the Festival dei Due Mondi (Two Worlds Festival), a music and opera festival held annually since 1958.

We begin today with a guided walking tour, followed by an afternoon and evening on your own.

Our pilgrimage this morning is to Assisi and the incomparable Basilica di San Francesco and its brilliant cycle of frescoes on the Life of Saint Francis by Giotto. Assisi has even more to offer with its 2,000 year old Piazza del Comune, the first century B.C. Temple of Minerva, numerous churches, Duomo and 14th century fortress, the Rocca Maggiore.

In the afternoon we’ll move north to Gubbio, perhaps the best preserved of medieval Umbrian towns, laying against the slopes of Monte Ingino. We’ll be staying for two nights at the 17th century former monastery, the Park Hotel ai Cappuccini. Afternoon visit to the Palazzo dei Consoli Museum and the Roman amphitheater.

Included dinner in Gubbio

Today we’ll take a trip into the region of Le Marche to visit Urbino whose main attraction, besides being one of the most beautiful medieval towns in central Italy, is the enormous Palazzo Ducale of Duke Federico which now houses the National Gallery of Le Marche. Here we will spend one of the most rewarding mornings of our tour. Urbino is also home to a very beautiful cathedral and the natal house of the Renaissance painter Raphael.

Free time and lunch on your own

Returning to Gubbio we’ll ride the funivia (bird-cage lift) to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views and see the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, whose 900 year old remains are still on display.

Evening free

Cortona, the oldest continuously inhabited hill town in Italy, is our first destination. After a visit to the Etruscan Museum you’ll have the morning free for a delightful exploration of winding alleys, pleasant squares, small cafés and restaurants.

After lunch we’re off to San Gimignano, a tour favorite with its many towers, lovely scenery and enjoyable evenings. We’ll be staying at the 13th century Hotel La Cisterna (two nights), set in the main square of town.

Our last excursion is to the enchanting Gothic city of Siena, home to one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, the Piazza del Campo and what-was-to-have-been the largest cathedral in the world (interrupted by the Black Death). Our guide will walk us through Siena’s fascinating medieval story that, in surprising ways, lives on today.

Late day free in San Gimignano prior to the farewell dinner and last gelato. Our restaurant is located in the historic center with stunning views over the valley.

Morning transfers to Florence airport, train station & hotels. Pisa airport on request.